Search - DJ Quik :: Born & Raised in Compton: The Greatest Hits

For shame.......

Johnny | New Orleans, LA | 08/25/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"DJ Quik, producer extraordinaire, released another greatest hits album in 2006........





It was called "Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues"



This compliation is, in no way, an official DJ Quik release. Arista, Quik's former label, is simply trying to make more money off of DJ Quik's name.



'But what about the songs on it?' you may ask. No doubt these songs are all classics, but they can only rehash a DJ Quik Best Of.. cd before it gets repetitive. "The Best of DJ Quik" is exactly what it says: it showcases the best (with some exceptions) of DJ Quik's cd's up to Under The Influence. This collection contains no tracks from Trauma or Under The Influence because Quik wasnt on Arista/Profile when he made those cd's. "Born and Raised.." takes songs from his first 5 releases (in order) in which he was on Profile/Arista. So overall, this cd is a get-rich-quik (pun intended) scheme.



If youre new to Quik, don't buy this cd or the Platinum and Gold collection. If I was just getting into Quik I would probably get the "Best of DJ Quik" collection, just because it is so complete compared to the first two mentioned, and it also has new tracks on it. "Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues", I would only purchase that if I was familiar with all of Quik's albums. I couldn't see myself listening to it if I knew nothing of Quik's work, because it's all live instruments, no double takes or anything, just spur of the moment.



Concluding this, the only reason I gave it 2 stars is because it's still DJ Quik whether I like it or not. Once he gets out of jail in September, he is apparently going to get back together with his old crew and some NY friends (that means the likes of 2nd II None, AMG, Hi-C, Talib Kweli, possibly the DeBarges, and maybe even Suga Free!) to make an entire new album. Only time will tell. Until then, go listen to "The Best of DJ Quik", or do what I did and skip it entirely and buy all of his albums."

Another DJ Quik Greatest Package

Dorrie Wheeler | 08/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"We have another DJ Quik greatest hits compilation upon us.



Born and Raised in Compton-The Greatest Hits, features 14 DJ Quik songs. The radio released singles are here. The album opens with Born and Raised In Compton, from Quik's debut CD Quik is the Name. Other Quik is The Name tracks included on the CD are "Tonite," "Quik Is The Name," and "Loked Out Hood." It's hard to imagine that "Sweet Black P*ssy," wasn't included since this is easily one of Quik's most well known songs as far as the underground is concerned. Rarely does Quik perform a live show without including this song in his set list. Two songs from Quik's sophomore album Way 2 Fonky are included, "Way 2 Fonky," and "Jus Lyke Compton." The remainder of the set is rounded out by two songs from Quik's 1995 album Safe & Sound, 3 tracks from 1998's Rhythm-al-ism, and 3 tracks from Quik's 2000 release Balance & Options. Surpringsly the song "Speed," didn't make the collection although it's easily one of the most well known tracks from Rhythm-al-ism,.



DJ Quik Born and Raised in Compton is a small sampling of Quik's commercial releases. There are no songs (or no mention) of tracks from Quiks albums Under Tha Influence or Trauma--not even in the liner notes. It's as if Quik's post major label presence has been omitted from reference. In June of 2006, Quik released the CD, DJ Quik Live at the House of Blues.



The liner notes focus heavily on Quik's production work and some of the content is out of chronological order. One line reads "Leaving Arista in 2000, he formally produced "Heartz of Men" as David Blake for 2pac's masterpiece All Eyez On Me. All Eyez on Me was released in 1995, a year before 2pac's death. It would have been nice if the liner notes were written by someone from the hip-hop community rather, perhaps they would be more intimate and accurate.



If you really want to plunk down some change on a DJ Quik greatest hits package go with The Best of DJ Quik , it's a much more complete collection. DJ Quik Born And Raised In Compton is a somewhat satisfying sample of DJ Quik hits. A plus, at least the songs are not edited and appear in their intended state."